3rd HVACR Trends Exhibition & Conference A Resounding Success in Addressing Sustainability in Pharma, Hospitals, Cleanrooms

on 03/01/2024

The 3rd HVACR Trends Exhibition & Conference took place in December (9th and 10th) 2023, at the prestigious Karachi Marriott Hotel, bringing together industry leaders, experts, and professionals to explore and address critical issues in the HVACR sector, with a special focus on sustainability in Pharma, Hospitals, and Cleanrooms.
Themed “Sustainability in the Critical Sectors of the Industry: Pharma, Hospitals, and Cleanrooms,” the event featured an impressive lineup of tech-talks, discussions, and product displays aimed at presenting innovative solutions to challenges facing these vital sectors of the industry.
The event boasted participation from over 35 prominent companies showcasing cutting-edge HVACR products and technologies tailored for Pharma, Hospitals, and Cleanrooms. Attendees included a diverse audience of Engineers, Technicians, Consultants, Contractors, Suppliers, Building Facilitation Managers, MEP professionals, CEOs, and other high-level staff from the healthcare sector.
The distinguished Consul General of Turkey in Karachi, H.E. Mr. Cemal Sangu, inaugurated the event, accompanied by Mr. Farooq Mehboob, Immediate Past President of ASHRAE, Mr. Omer Khan, President ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter (2022-23), and Mr. Muhammad Abbas Sajid, Chair Managing Committee of HVACR Trends.
Parallel events enriched the conference experience, including Technical Seminars, Product Presentations, Panel Discussions, a Product Display Expo, Networking Breakfast, and a Welcome Dinner. Renowned experts such as Wei Sun, P.E., ASHRAE Fellow; Timothy G. Wentz, PE, HBDP, Fellow; and Luke Leung, P.E., a LEED Fellow, delivered insightful presentations on cleanroom design, industry trends in 2030, and healthy built environments.
Delegations from key organizations, including the Pakistan Engineering Council, Institution of Engineers Pakistan, IEEEP, ACEP, Pakistan HVACR Society, NED University of Science & Technology, Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Pakistan Society of Plumbing Professionals, and academia, were received by ASHRAE APC.
Mr. Muhammad Abbas Sajid, Chair Managing Committee of HVACR Trends, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “The event has achieved great success in bringing together the entire HVACR and Healthcare Industry to discuss relevant issues and present viable solutions. We are grateful for the support of all participants, sponsors, and partners.”
The 3rd HVACR Trends Exhibition & Conference was organized by ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter and skillfully managed by BRG (Business Relay Group) Events.
ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter is a leading professional organization dedicated to the advancement of the HVACR industry, promoting sustainable practices and fostering knowledge exchange among industry professionals.
BRG Events is a premier event management company committed to delivering exceptional experiences through meticulously planned and flawlessly executed events.

OGDC HANDS to construct climate-resilient houses in Balochistan

on 03/01/2024

In continuation of its strategic collaboration for uplifting the local community, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has partnered with the Health and Nutrition Development Society (HANDS) for the construction of 84 climate-resilient houses at Umaid Ali Rawtani village of Jhal Magsi district of Balochistan province.
The transformative initiative aimed to uplift the community of Jhal Magsi in Balochistan. The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of climate-resilient houses took place at Umaid Ali Rawtani village, marking a significant milestone in this collaborative endeavor. OGDCL and HANDS signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a Model Village at Umaid Ali Rawtani village in Jhal Magsi district, with a total cost of Rs. 84.929 million. OGDCL, with a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) focus on health, infrastructure, water supply, and environment, aims to make a positive impact on the lives of the local communities in Jhal Magsi, an area that has faced challenges of poverty and flood-related adversities.
This strategic partnership between OGDCL and HANDS lays the foundation for the construction of 84 climate-resilient houses. Each house will consist of a 15 x 15 room, a washroom, a kitchen, and a veranda, providing essential amenities for the residents. The construction is expected to be completed within a timeframe of 4 to 6 months. The initiative underscores OGDCL’s commitment to social responsibility and community welfare. OGDCL remains steadfast in its dedication to sustainable development and positive societal impact.

Learning from China a must to promote sustainable development of chemical industry

on 03/01/2024

Moazzam Ghurki, president of Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI), said during a think tank session held at PCJCCI Secretariat the other day that Pakistan does not have mature technology to produce petrochemical complex facilities or cracking units, which is a very big constraint to the development of its chemical industry. He stressed that Pakistan can collaborate with China and learn from China’s experience to promote the sustainable development of the chemical industry and give full play to the industry in the national economic construction. President PCJCCI also highlighted that there is a vast potential of Pakistan in chemical manufacturing and processing. Our vision was to transform the chemical industry of Pakistan from an import-oriented to an export-oriented industry. Fang Yulong, senior vice president PCJCCI, further added that with the rapid development of biotechnology, the biochemical industry has injected new vitality into the traditional chemical industry and opened up new development directions and insights. He further explained that China has a growing influence in the field of biochemical industry globally. Both approaches will be of great benefit to Pakistan. Zafar Iqbal, chairman Standing Committee on Chemical Industry (PCJCCI), said that with the continuous growth of economy and population base, the demand of Pakistani citizens for chemical products is increasing day by day. The country is highly dependent on imported oil products, and the shortage of oil products has even affected national security. He added that China’s successful chemical park model can provide Pakistan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the necessary resources and facilities, so as to achieve cluster development. Hamza Khalid, vice president PCJCCI, said that Cracker is an important link in the transfer of chemical production to downstream and upstream operations. It is significant to establish a chemical industrial park with facilities such as common effluent treatment plant, a sound supply network of water, electricity, centralized steam generating facility to reduce capital & operating expenditures for chemical manufacturers. With the promulgation of the SME Policy, Pakistani government is taking rational and challenging steps to develop SMEs for their growth.

AIIB approves US$250 m loan after WB’s US$350m to help Pakistan

on 03/01/2024

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) Board of Directors have approved a loan of $250 million to help Pakistan strengthen its response to the social and economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, said the financial institution in a press release at the end of year 2023.
The AIIB said that the loan is co-financed by the World Bank, adding that this development policy financing will help bolster the government’s Resilient Institutions for Sustainable Economy Program.
The RISE Program is a part of a set of measures Pakistan has undertaken towards recovery from the impact of the pandemic. The program aims to stimulate investment in human capital, expand social safety nets, improve the emergency health infrastructure and foster economic growth.
The investment bank stated that the latest loan brings AIIB total support to Pakistan’s Covid-19 response to $750 million.
The statement mentioned that the health crisis is expected to have far-ranging and long-term repercussions on growth, which may undermine the hard-fought progress the country has made in restoring macroeconomic stability.
The AIIB said that pandemic has taken a toll on employment in the formal and informal sectors, with the poor, women and other vulnerable groups disproportionately affected.
“The pandemic has rapidly evolved in Pakistan and now threatens to undo many of the hard-won gains made in reducing poverty over the past two decades,’ said AIIB Vice President, Investment Operations, Konstantin Limitovskiy.
“Our immediate support is critical and will contribute to the government’s efforts to mitigate pandemic-related shocks, so that the country may continue on its path to sustainable development,” he said.
The AIIB said it does not have a regular instrument for policy-based financing, the Bank is extending such financing on an exceptional basis under its Covid-19 Crisis Recovery Facility to support its members through projects co-financed with the World Bank or the Asian Development Bank.
It merits mentioning that The World Bank had announced in December 2023 that its board of directors had approved the long-awaited $350 million loan ‘2nd Resilient Institutions for Sustainable Economy (RISE-II) Operation’ to Pakistan to support key macroeconomic reforms in energy, taxation and business environment.
As per the announcement of the bank, the financing was aimed to strengthen fiscal management and promote competitiveness for sustained and inclusive economic growth
The operation contributes to better fiscal management by improving fiscal policy coordination, enhancing debt transparency and management, strengthening the taxation of property, and improving the financial viability of the power sector, the bank had said, adding that the financing seeks to foster growth and competitiveness by reducing the cost of tax compliance, improving financial sector transparency, encouraging the use of digital payments, and promoting exports by lowering import tariffs.
The bank believed that Pakistan needed urgent fiscal and structural reforms to restore macroeconomic balance and lay the foundations for sustainable growth.
“RISE-II completes the first phase of tax, energy and business climate reforms geared to raising additional revenues, improve the targeting of expenditures and stimulate competition and investment.”
World Bank’s team leader for the operation Derek H. C. Chen said that based on the foundations laid through RISE II and parallel support by other international financial institutions, Pakistan had the opportunity to tackle long-standing structural distortions in its economy after the upcoming general elections. “Failing to use this opportunity would risk plunging the country back into stop-and-go economic cycle,” he said.
Importantly, the combined $600m program would help Pakistan shore up foreign exchange reserves while taking measures to enhance the policy and institutional framework for improved fiscal management and regulatory conditions that support growth and competitiveness.

Engr. Najeeb resolves to contest for second term, expects allies’ support Contesting for the last time; Oldies should leave space for younger lot, PEC Chairman PEC advices former chairmen bracing for polls

on 03/01/2024

Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) Engr. Muhammad Najeeb Haroon is determined to contest PEC Elections 2024 for the second term and expects that his key allies—National Engineers Association (NEA), led by Engr. Abdul Qadir Shah and Engr. Mukhtar Sheikh will support him.
‘Contesting for the second tenure is my right {by the Act} and also necessary for the continuity of the programs, of them a number are very innovative ones like the On Job Training (OJT) Program and have benefitted engineers in Pakistan’, Engr. Haroon told Engineering Review.
I have already announced in clear terms that I would contest the PEC elections and also communicated this to my allies, friends, and my team, now it’s their decision if they continue to support me, says Engr. Haroon. However, he said he expected his allies to stand along with him like they did in the last elections.
”The PEC Elections 2024 would be my last election which I shall contest in the PEC he declared saying he would never cling to it and leave space for younger generations.
Chairman PEC who presided over the council’s last GB meeting of the year 2023 with a major decision to declare the Year 2024 as the Year of Information Technology, aimed to transform the council into a technology-driven headquarters of engineers in Pakistan where colonial-style files tied with red ribbons have outplaced the offices at Islamabad advised all ‘oldies’ aspirants of top office who have already held the office of the chairman should step down for the younger generations.
Engr. Najeeb says Pakistan’s young engineers are not impotent that the older lot is clung to power and never allowed their younger generations to take the reins. Without taking their names, he advised previous chairmen of the PEC, for floating younger leaders from their camps for the next PEC Elections.
Engr. Haroon justified his candidature for the next term on the basis of what he termed as his performance which included his efforts to transform the council into a well-connected organization at the national as well as the international levels.
He said he brought professionals to the council in various departments especially in Finance and IT. Now, they will celebrate the year 2024 as the year of IT and shall computerize all departments from top to bottom so that transparency is ensured in all processes of registrations and services to engineers and create swift connectivity with consultants both at the national as well as international levels.
Engr. Haroon claimed the PEC is now connected with international engineering organizations and has earned appreciation at various forums including the one held in Dubai recently.
A Washington Accord Review team has recently visited various universities in Pakistan and we are sure to be able to have a 6-year extension in the program, he says.
Engr. Haroon said he launched the On Job Training (OJT) Program under which over 4000 young engineers have been trained and many have gotten jobs in those organizations. This program would continue until all engineers are accommodated in their jobs, he declared.
The PEC chairman who inaugurated the council’s Lahore Regional Office, an 8-storey building in the heart of the city on the eve of the GB moot believes he has sufficient performance points to claim the second stint in the office revealing that the council has decided to fund 593 final year projects of the students of engineering universities across Pakistan. Never has happened and no one has ever taken such decisions, he says. This is an outcome of a grand moot of 102 engineering universities of Pakistan that was organized in Faisalabad by the council . Capstone 2024 will be held in Islamabad and all the provincial capitals showcasing final year engineering projects which in the past mostly become part of decorative objects in universities’ shelves, Engr. Najeeb says.